Coffee With The Lord

I just finished writing a “final test” for a course I’m teaching at SAGU.  Got some students who are in “deep anxiety” over the prospects of taking it and doing well!  Final tests always become an object of concern for students who care… They’ll review their notes, go over the text, listen for clues for the exam from the prof, and engage in long nights of study for the “big day!”

But this morning during my devotional time that I call “coffee with the Lord” I read of another “test” that has my attention… Here is what the inspired writer had to say about it…

“Blessed is the person who remains steadfast under trial, FOR WHEN HE HAS STOOD THE TEST he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (From James 1:12 ESV)

This is what I jotted in the margin of my Bible after read that this morning: “Help me Lord – strengthen me, fortify my resolve, may I prepare myself with the resources You provide, help me withstand the temptation of giving into trials, may I stand true and strong for You under pressure!  I want to receive ‘the crown of life’ at the end of my journey – my ‘personal final text!’”

My Bible reading this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” included the prophet Habakkuk.  Have you ever felt the way he felt as you reflected on what has been happening in the world?  Here are Habakkuk’s words…

“How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save.  Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.  The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.”

Sound familiar?  Does the scene he described seem all too familiar?  Habakkuk could have been describing the state of things we wrestle with and struggle to understand!

But then God speaks…

“Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it…”  (From Habakkuk 1:1-5 NLT)

Listen, God’s got it all under control!  We need to trust Him in difficult times!  The message of Habakkuk is, God even uses wicked nations to work His will and fulfill His purposes!

I don’t know about you, but I needed to hear that today!

I have to admit, sometimes when I see what is happening in the broader culture I almost despair… the moral drift, the ethical depravity, the spiritual bankruptcy!  I am tempted to say what the prophet Micah said centuries ago (that I read this morning during my devotions)…

“What misery is mine!  The faithful have been swept from the land!  Not one upright person remains!”  And then Micah describes in very graphic terms in the verses that follow the moral and spiritual condition of His nation (and where WE are headed so fast it is frightening). (Micah 7.1-6)

But then – in the midst of all of his despair – Micah focuses on the character of God!  He says…

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord!  I wait for God my Savior!  He will hear me!  Do not gloat over me, my enemy!  Though I have fallen, I will rise!  Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light! … He will bring me out into the light; I will see His righteousness…

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgression?!  You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.  You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea!”  (From Micah 7.8-20 NIV)

So here’s what I’m going to do…  I’m going to pray fervently (and continually) for a moral and spiritual renewal in America!  Then I’m going to remind myself of the righteous, merciful and gracious character of God… Who pardons sin and forgives transgression!  Therefore I have hope!!  Help us, O Lord!!